Vacuum sealing machine



Jan. 1, 1944.

.l. HOHL IAL VACUUM SEALING MACHINE Filed @11.23, 1942 s sheets-sheet 1 ATTORNEYS Jan. 11, 1944. J, HCH.; ETAL 2,338,852

f VACUUM SEALING MACHINE 2 C Filed Jan. 23, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS ATTORNEYS Jan. 11, 1944. J. OHL E-'FAL 2,338,852

VACUM SEALING MACHINE Filed Jan. 23, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jam Hmz Qlazr /,evin

v INVENTO 24 ATTORNEYS Jan.11,1944. J. HOHL ETAL 2,338,1,352y y VACUUM SEALING MACHINE Filed Jan. 23,-1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORNEYS Jan. ll, 1944.

1J. HOHL ET AL.

VACUl-JM SEALING MACHINE Filed Jan. 23 1942 5 Sheets..sheet 5 Hin, I H 'I' Il INVENTORS ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 11, 1944 VACUUM sEALiNG MACHINE John Hohl and Olav Bjering,'Toledo, Ohio, as.

signers to Owens-Illinois Glass Company, av

corporation of Ohio Application January 23, 1942, Serial No. 427,872 14 claims. .'(Cl. 226-82) Our invention relates to machines for applying a partial vacuum within jars, bottles or other containers to which caps or closure devices have been loosely applied after the containers have been filled with food products or other commodities, and then tightening the closure devices.

The invention in its preferred form is embodied in a machine of the type in which the sealing units, each including vacuumizing and cap tightening means, are mounted on a carriage rotatable about a vertical axis, and in which the containers with the caps loose thereon,are placed on vertically movable supports or pedestals for lifting them into operative relation to the sealing units.'

An object of our invention is to provide improved mechanism for rotating and tightening the'closures and thereby sealing the vacuumized containers.

A further object'of the invention is to provide safety means for preventing a crushing pressure being applied to a container.' and also for stopping the machine, when any undue resistance is encountered to the upward movement of the container to a sealing position. This safety means would operate, for example, if the container were not properly centered on its support when moved upward to the sealing unit.

Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view of the same.

Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation, looking in a. di-l rection at right angles to that of Fig. 5, of a portion of the mechanism shown in Fig. 5, and showing particularly the means for gripping androtating the closure device.

`for the gripping jaws. v

Fig. 9 is a part sectional elevation of a pedestal for supporting a container, and safety means associated therewith.

A further object of our invention is to provide a safety mechanism operable automatically to open a control circuit of the driving motor and stop the machine under conditions such that the free rotation of the carriage about the center column is interfered with and an excessive turning torque thereby applied to said column.

A further objecty of the invention is to provide safety means for stopping the machine when the movements of the mechanism for feeding the containers to the carriage is placed under strain due to a misplaced container or other cause.

Other objects of the invention will appear heretightening themon the containers.

Fig. 5 is a sectiona1 elevation of a vacuumizing and sealing unit.

Fig. 10 is a sectional elevation at the line I IlI 0 ron Fig. 9. y

Fig. 11 is a view illustrating the `operation of the safety means to prevent upward movement of the pedestal when an abnormal resistance such movement is encountered.

The machine as herein illustrated embodies various structural features disclosed in the patent to Barnby #2,126,942-August 16, 1938, and the patent to Barnby et al., #2,254,642 September 2, 1941. 5 l

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, the machine framework comprises a base inthe form of a cylindrical housing including a lower section I5 and an upper section I6 of somewhat smaller diameter, bolted thereto. The section I6 includes a cover portion I1 for the housing, provided with a central hub I8 in which a center column or post I9 is supported, said post being journalled for limited rotative movement within the hub I8 as hereinafter described.

The sealing units 20 are arranged in an annular series and supported on a carriage which is mounted for rotation about the center column I9. The carriage includes a tubular shaft 2Ik surrounding the column I9 and formed at its lower end with a ange 22 to which is bolted a platform 23. The carriage also includes an upper' platform 24Iformed with a hub 25 mounted for up and down adjustment on the tubular shaft 2|. Means for supporting the platform 24 and for adjusting it up and down,includes a bearing in the form ofv a ring 26'having a screw-threaded mounting on the shaft 2| and connected to the hub 25 by a flanged collar 21. 'I'he latter prevents up or down movement of the platform 24 a worm which drives a worm wheel 38 keyed to a vertical shaft 48. A pinion 4| on the shaft 48 drives a ring gear 4l*L bolted to the flange 22 and thereby rotates the carriage.

The pedestals'3l are supported on a stationary cam track 42 mounted on the machine base and surrounding the upper section I6 thereof. The cam track is shaped to lift the work-pieces 38 into engagement with the sealing units 28 for` the vacuumizing and sealing operations and then lowering them to permit their removal.

Referring to Figs. 9, 10, and l1, each pedestal is provided with safety mechanism, permitting it to retain its lowered position when an abnormal resistance to the upward movement is encountered as, for example, when a jar' or container carried thereby is out of alignment with the sealing unit to such a degree as to cause it to be jammed against the rim of the vacuum bell.y The safety means includes a short rockarm 43 connected to the lower end of the stern 32 by a horizontal pivot 44,v the lower portion of the stem being bifurcated to receive lsaid arm and the latter also being forked to receive a cam follower roll 45 journalled therein and running on the cam track 42. The arm 43 is normally held in vertical alignment with the shaft42 by4 means including a ball 46 which seats in a notch 41 formed in the arm 43, a plunger 48 and a coil spring 48 mounted within the stem 32.` The spring is held under compression betweenthe plunger 48 and an adjustable plug 58 threaded in the stem.

During normal operation, the arm 43 retains its` upright position in line with the stem 32. The pedestal is lifted by an inclined section 42* (Fig. 11) of the cam track. If while the cam roll is running up the incline, the jar 38 should become jammed, the resistance to such upward movement willA apply suflicient pressure ofthe campkroll against the inclined track section to swing the arm about its pivot 44, carrying the notch 41 out of engagement with the ball 46. The pedestal is then free to drop and retain its lowered position while the arm swings idlly about its pivot 44.

The arm 43 has attached thereto a pin 5| which projects over a safety switch operating arm 52 (Figs.`2 and 3) which is Aconnected by a pivot 53 to the housing I6. Thearm 52 carries a linger 54 which extends downwardly into pos ition to engage a switch 55 in the control circuit of the electric motor 35. During the normal operation of the machine the pin 5I travels over but out of contact with the arm 52. If, however, the arm 43 has been operated as above devformed with a vacuum chamber 51. The part 58 is formed with a tubular h ub extension 58 which projects upward through an opening in the platy form and is secured in place by a ring 58 threaded on said extension. Bolts 68 provide additional attaching means and prevent rotation of the vacuum bell. A clamping ring 6I threaded on the lower end of the vacuum bell serves to clamp a bearing ring 52 against a sealing'gasket 63 which bears onthe lower face of the bell. A ring gasket 64 is clamped in position against the plate 62 by a clamping ring 65. When a jar 38 is moved upward into engagement with the gasket 84, it makes sealing contact therewith.

The closure gripping device includes a pair of supporting plates 86 within the vacuum chamber. A pair of bell crank levers 61 (Figure 6) are mounted on the lower surface of the plates 66 by pvot pins 68 at diametrically opposite points. Gripping jaws 69 are connected by pivots 18 to the bell crank levers, each jaw being formed with teeth or serrations 1| for gripping engagement with the upper margin of the closure or cap 38L (Fig. 5). f

`A vertical tubular shaft 12 is secured at-its lower end within the hub 58 and has mounted on its upper end a metal bellows 15. The lower end 16 of the bellows is threaded'on the shaft 12. The upper end plate 11 of the bellows has a screw-threaded connection with the upper end of a push rod 18v` which extends downwardly through the tubular shaft 12 and has operating connections with the gripping jaws. Said connections include a 'section 19 screw-threaded on the lower end of the push rod. A link 88 connects the section 13 with a pair of arms 8l extendingA radially outward and connected by pivots 82 t() the bell cranks 81.

The bellows 15 when subjected to a predetermineddegree of vacuum, is collapsible againstA the opposing force of a coil spring 83 held under compression between the ends of the bellows.

This operates to push the rod 18 downward.

Clearance is provided between the push rod 18 and the shaft 12 to permit the suction to be ap.

` plied to the bellows when air is exhausted from the vacuum chamber 51. The supporting plates Sli/for the gripping jaws are removably secured in place within the vacuum chamber by means of a tubular connector 84 (Figs. 5 and 8) secured to said plates and extending upward into the hub 58. The connector 84 is held in position and at the right height by a ball 84a and a locking screw 85 which holds the ballin position to engage a groove or notch in the shaft 12. Rotation of the connector 84 relative to the shaft 12 is prevented by a key 841. A spring loaded packing 86 provides a seal between the shaft 12 and its bearing.

for vacuumizing the container and operating the gripping device. Such mechanism includes 4a coiled spring 88 housed within av casingy 89 scribed so that the pedestal is not lifted to nory mounted on the platform 24. The inner end of the spring is secured by apin 98 to a sleeve 9| keyed to the shaft 12. The outer end-of the spring is attached to a ring gear 92 (Figs. 4 and 5) mounted within'the casing 89 and rotatable for adjusting the tension of the spring.

The means for rotating the rig gear to adjust the tension of the spring includes a shaft 83 mounted in the wall of the casing 89 and movable sleeve 9 I.

up and down therein. The shaft is provided with gear teeth 94 which mesh with the teeth on the ring gear 92. A compression spring 95 normally holds the shaft in its lifted position in which a shoulder 95 thereon (Figs. 4 and 5) engages an elongated opening in a cap 95h, which limits the upward movement and prevents rotation of the shaft. The shaft may be lowered to disengage it from the collarY 95* and then rotated for' ad- J'usting the spring, by means of a wrench applied to the squared end of the shaft.

Rotation of the shaft 12 and with it the gripping jaws, for tightening the caps on the jars, is

,under they control of a stationary cam track 96,.

formed on the periphery of an annular camfplate 96c (Figs. 1 and 4). Rock arms 91 individual to with. A switch operating lever |20 housed within the arm and connected thereto by a pivot I2 .has its free end projecting within the tubular shaft II3. A vertical rod |22 mounted within the lower end of the shaft and movable lengthwise therein is held in contact with the lever |20 by a coil spring |23. A ball |24 seated on the lever |20 `engages a recess or notch formed in the wheel I1, being yieldingly held thereinA by the the sealing units, are mounted for oscillating the tightening device for the next sealing unit. The cam track 9611s concentric with the carriage for the greater portion of its circumference and includes a comparatively short section 96 which is shaped to permit the rock arm 91 to swing inwardly under the tension of the coil yspringv 88 for operating the tightening device. section of the cam is preferably formed on a cam patch 96b removably mounted on the cam plate 96c and which may be replaced by other cam patches orsections of different cam contours to meet the requirements of different sizes or styles of closure devices.

Means for holding the cam plate 96c stationary While the machine is operating, and permitting it to be adjusted up and down with the sealing units, includes posts |03 (Figs.-1 and 4) secured to the cam plate and extending upward through bearing sleeves v|04 formed on a stationary frame |05 keyed tothe center post I9. The cam plate is supported on rolls |06 mounted on brackets |01 on the platform 24. Means for holding the vcam plate seated on the rolls |06 includes pinsA or bolts |08 interposed between the cam plate and the casings 09.

The containers may be carried to and from the machine by a horizontal traveling conveyor (Fig. 2). The containers are transferred from the conveyor tothe supports 3|, and back to the conveyor bytransfer mechanism including the star wheels I|| and ||2 carried'on vertical shafts |I3 and ||4 respectively. The star'w'heels are rotated continuously in synchronism with the rotation of the carriage. The driving means includes a sprocket wheel (Fig. 1) keyed to the lower end of the shaft 40 and driving a sprocket chain I6 trained over the wheel I l5, a wheel ||1 on the shaft ||3, and a'wheel II8 on the shaft A safety device which will now be described, is

provided for arresting the movement of the star The operating spring |23. A collar prevents upward movement of the gear |I1. A micro-switch |26 is arranged to be actuated by the rod |22 operating through arms |21 attached to avpivot pin |20. The ball |24 provides a driving connection between the arm ||9 and the sprocket wheel ||1 during normal operation. lAny excessive or abnormal resistance to the rotation of the transfer wheels ||2, and with them the arm I|9`.

results in the sprocket wheel ||1 being advanced relative to the arm ||9 and forcing the ball |24 downwardly out of its holding notch. The'lever I |20 and rod |22 are thereby moved downward and` actuate the switch |26, thereby opening the motor control circuit and stopping the motor 35. The switch remains open until it has been manuallyl reset.

The star wheel |1 moves the ycontainers along a guide rail ontol the supporting disks 3|.

The carriage rotates in a clockwise direction Fig.

2,) so that the containers are carried therewithd through the greater portion of a complete rocolumn Referring to Fig. 1, the sprocket-wheel |I1 is mounted to turn freely on the shaft I I3. Directly beneath the sprocket wheel is a hollow arm ||9 which is keyed to the shaft for rotation theretation'of the carriage, during which they are vacuumized and the caps tightened to seal the containers. The wheel I2 serves to transfer the sealed containers back onto the conveyor ||0, the containers being guided during this transfer by a rail I3I. A.

An automatic safety mechanisrnis provided for stopping the machine whenever any undue resistance is offered'to the normally free rotation of the carriage about the stationary center I9. This mechanism will now be described. Referring to Fig. 2, an arm' |32 is keyed to the center column 9 which, as before noted,-is mounted for limited rotative movement. A stop screw |33, adjustable in the outer end of the arm |32, engages a stop lug |34 formedonthe stationaryhousing |6. .A coil spring |35 is anchored v at its opposite ends to the arm |32 and the hosing I6 and is held under tension adjustable by means of an adjusting screw and nut |36. The arm |32 is provided at its outer end with an arc-shaped extension |31 concentric with the carriage. A shoe |38 is secured to the extensionA |31 and is -adjustablelengthwise thereof. Said shoe is provided on its under surface with a cam |39 or inclined surface (Fig.3) directly over a shoulder |40 vformed on the switch operatingv lever 52.

During normal operation of the machine the arm |32 remains stationary whilethe carriage rotates freely on the center column. If, however, the` center column or parts connected thereto should offer any undue resistance to such rotation of the carriage, the latter will apply a turning torqueto the center column and startA it to rotate with the carriage. This causes the r |39 to actuate the lever 52 immediately,

' |41 in the member |42.

a drag on the cam 96 in a direction to rotate the center column I9.

The application of suction to the vacuum chambers 51 iscontrolled by a distributing head (Fig. 1) comprising a member |4| in the form of a. disk which is normally. stationary having a. xed mounting on the column I9, and a rotatable member |42 directly therebeneath. The latter is keyed to the tubular shaft 2| for rotation with the carriage. A vacuum pipe |43 connected to any suitable means for exhausting the air, opens into a passageway |45 extending through the column I9 to the distributing head. Vacuum pipes |46 individual to the heads zn are periodically opened to the vacuum line through ports The pipes |46 extend to air lters |48 and thence to the vacuum chambers 51.

When a container 30 has been lifted into sealing engagement with the gasket 54 (Fig. 5), the suction chamber is opened through the pipe |46 and distributing head to the suction line, thereby producing a partial vacuum 'so that the -contairierl is vacuumized. At the s ame time the bellows is subjected to a suctional action and when a predetermined degree of vacuum is produced therein, is collapsed, compressing the coil spring 83 which is held under compression be- The lpush rod 18 tween the ends of the bellows. is thereby lowered and operates the gripping device to grip the cap with a predetermined pressure. Immediately following the gripping a support for the container, a gripping device for gripping the cap, an electric motor, means driven by the motor for rotating the gripping device and cap relative to the container and thereby tightening the cap, and means operable automatically to stop the motor when the resistance of the cap to rotative movement during said operation is less than that normally required to tighten the cap.

3. A sealing machine comprising in combination a carriage, means for rotating it, a support Yfor a container, said support being mounted for rotation with the carriage, argripping device for gripping a. closure for the container, a spring, means providing an operating connection between said spring and the gripping device, means for holding the spring under tension and causing it to operate through said connection to rotate the of the cap, the cap tightening mechanism is f,

brought into operation bythe cam roll on the lever 91 being brought to the operating: section 96* of the cam track. This allows the arm 91 to be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction under the tension of the coil spring 88, thereby rotating the shaft 12 and tightening, the cap. When the cap is tightened to the required degree, the inward swingingl, movement of the lever 91 will be arrested by the frictional resistance of the cap to further rotative movement. The cam roll |00 will at this point leave the cam track section 96a' and as the carriage advances will again be picked up by the cam track and the arm 91 swung outward, thereby rewinding the coil spring 88 and setting the arm for the next succeeding operation. The cam patch $6b provides, infelect, two separate cams, the one comy prising the section 96 for controlling the cap tightening movement and the other for rewinding the spring. If, for any reason, the cam roll |00 should move inward to the lowerrnost portion of the cam track, the arm 91 will operate a micro-switch |50 (Fig. 4) in the motor control circuit and stop the machine. Such operation of the'switch |50 would indicate that the force of the coil spring was not being fully or eectively applied for tightening the cap.

Modications may be resorted to within the spirit and scope of our invention.

1. A machine for tightening caps on containers, comprising a support for a container, means` for gripping a cap which has been placed on the container, means for rotating the gripping means and cap relative to the container through a limited angle of rotation and thereby tightening the cap, and automatic control means operable to I stop the machine upon failure of the cap to offer gripping device and thereby rotate the closure and seal the container, and means for retarding and controlling the said 'rotation of the gripping device and closurecomprising a stationary cam, an arm mounted for movement on the carriage,

a cam follower roll carried by said arm and running on the cam, and motion transmitting means between the said arm and, gripping device.

4. A sealing machine comprising a carriage,

'means for rotating the carriage, a support on the carriage for a container, and means for rotating and thereby tightening a closure device on said container, said tightening means including a spring, means for holding the spring under tension, meansl cooperating with the spring for causing the tension of the spring to rotate said closure device, al stationary cam, and means on the carriage controlled by said cam for determining and controlling the time and speed of rotation of the closure device by said spring.

5. A sealing machine comprising ahcarriage, means for rotating the carriage, a support on the carriage for a container, an arm mounted on the carriage for swinging movement, means y it and tightening it on said container, a stationary cam, and a cam follower roll carried by said arm and running on the cam and thereby retardlng and controlling the movement of said arm and said rotation of the closure device.

6. A machine for tightening caps on containers, comprising a carriage rotatable about a vertical axis, a support; on the carriage for a container, means for gripping a cap, a rock arm on the carriage, means providing operating connections between said arm and said gripping means by which rocking movement of said arm rotates Athe gripping means yand cap, a coil spring held under tension and connected to rock said arm, a stationaryvcam, and a cam follower roll on said arm and running` on said cam, the cam being arranged to retard and control the movement of v the rock arm during said rotation of the gripping means and cap. l

7. A cap tightening machine comprising a carriage, means for rotating the carriageabout'a vertical axis, an annular series `of supports for containers, shafts individual to said supports,

gripping devices for gripping the caps connected to said shafts and rotatable therewith, rock arms mounted to rock about the axes of said shafts, a stationary cam track, cam rolls carried on said rock arms and runningon the track, means for assassa applying torque to shafts for rotating them and thereby tightening the caps on the containers, and means providing motion transmitting connections between each said rock arm and the next succeeding shaft to the one about whose axis the rock arm rocks whereby rotation of a shaft for tightening a. cap imparts rocking movement to the connected rock arm,'said rocking movement being controlled by the stationary cam track.

8. A cap tightening machine comprising a carriage, means for rotatingthe carriage about a vvertical axis, an annular series of supports for containers, shafts individual to said supports, gripping devices for gripping the caps connected to said shafts and rotatable therewith, rock arms mounted to rock about the axes of said shafts, a stationary cam track, cam rolls carried on said,y .rock arms vand running on the track, coil springs individual to and surrounding said shafts, each said spring being connected to its said shaft and heldunder tension'for applying torque to the connected shaft for rotating it and thereby rotating the connected gripping device and cap, and means providing driving connections between the said shafts and rock arms.

9. ,A vacuum sealing machine comprising a carual tol said shafts, pinions on said shafts, racks f rolls carried on said arms and running on the cam track, and coil springs mounted on said shafts, each spring being connected at one end to a said shaft and held under tension applying torque to the shaft for rotatingy it and thereby tightening the caps on the containers, said cam track comprising a portion concentric with the axis of the carriage and a recessed portion, permitting the said rock arms to swing inwardly under the tension of said springs, said operating portion of the cam shaped to permit each cam roll to run oi the track when a predetermined torque has been applied to the cap' determined by the tension of saidvspring.

12. A machine for tightening caps on containers, comprising\a carriage rotatable about a vertical axis,- an electric motor operatively connected to rotate the carriage, means for sup-y porting a container on the carriage for rotation cap .which has been placed loosely on a conriage, means for rotating it about a vertical axis, Y

an annular series of container supports mounted on the carriage, sealing units individual to said supports, said units being mounted on the carriage above the supports, each said sealing unit comprising a vertically disposed rotatable shaft, gripping means actuated by said shaft for gripping a. container cap, spring means individual to said shafts for applying torque to the shafts and thereby @rotating them and tightening the tainer, a .rotary element connected to the gripping device, a spring operatively connected to said rotary element for rotating it and thereby rotating the gripping device andthe cap relative ,to the container and tightening the cap, an arm mounted for movement on the carriage, means providing operating connections between said arm and said rotary element by which the arm caps on the containers, rock arms individual to said shafts, pinions on said shafts, racks carried on said rock arms and engaging said pinions, a stationary cam track, and cam follower rolls carried on said arms and running on said track.

10. A vacuum sealing machine comprising a carriage,e means for rotating it about a vertical axis, an annular series of container supports mounted on the carriage, sealing units individual to said supports, said units mounted on the carriage above the supports, each said sealing unit comprising a vertically disposed rotatable shaft, gripping means actuated by said shaft for gripping a container cap, rock arms individual to said shafts, vpinions o n said shafts, racks carried on said rock arms and engaging said pinions, a stationary cam track, cam follower rolls carried on said arms and running on the cam track, and -coilsprings mountedl on said shafts, each spring being connected at one end to a said shaft and heidv under tension applying torquato the shaft' for rotating it and therebyl tightening the caps on the containers.

11. A vacuum sealing machine comprising a carriage, means for rotating it about a vertical axis. an annular series of container; supports n mounted on the' carriage. sealing umts individual to said supports, said lmits mounted on the carriage abd've 'the supports. each said ysealing unit comprising a vertically disposed rotatable shaft, grippingl means actuated by said shaft for gripping a container cap. rock arms individis caused to movel in synchronism with the rotation of said rotary element, a stationary cam track, a cam follower roll carried by said arm and running on' the cam track, said track com- .prising an operating cam section controlling the movement of said arm while the said rotating element is being rotated for tightening the cap, said cam section being arranged to retard fand control the rotation of saidrotatable element during the tightening of the cap and causing the rol1 to run free of the cam when the cap has been tightened to a degree determined by the tension of the spring.

13. The combination of a carriage, means for rotating it about an axis, a supportfora container, said support being mounted to rotate with the carriage, a closure gripping device mounted. to rotate with the carriage, a coil spring held under tension and operatively connected to the gripping device for rotating the latter and thereby rotating a cap on the container, a stationary cam, and means operated thereby for rewinding the spring.

14. The combination of a-carriage, means for I rotating it about an axis. a support for a con"- tainer, said support beingmounted to rotate with the carriage, a closure gripping device mounted to rotate with the carriage. a coil spring held under tension and operatively connected to the gripping device for rotating the latter and thereby rotating a cap on'the container, a stationary caxntrack,A and means actuated thereby for controlling thel said rotation ofthe capl and vfor rewinding said spring.

f JOHNHOHL' OLAV BJERING. 

